Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Protocol for Access to Tissue Specimen Samples from the National Marine Mammal Tissue Bank, 52327 [E8-20792]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 175 (Tuesday, September 9, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 52327]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-20792]



[[Page 52327]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Protocol for 
Access to Tissue Specimen Samples from the National Marine Mammal 
Tissue Bank

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before November 10, 
2008.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at dHynek@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Patricia Lawson, (301) 713-2289 or at 
Patricia.Lawson@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    The National Marine Mammal Tissue Bank (NMMTB) was established in 
1992 and provides protocols, techniques, and physical facilities for 
the long-term storage of tissues from marine mammals. Scientists can 
request tissues from this repository for retrospective analyses to 
determine environmental trends of contaminants and other substances of 
interest. The NMMTB collects, processes, and stores tissues from 
specific indicator species (e.g., Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, 
Atlantic white sided dolphins, pilot whales, harbor porpoises), animals 
from mass strandings, animals that have been obtained incidental to 
commercial fisheries, animals taken for subsistence purposes, biopsies, 
and animals from unusual mortality events.
    The purposes of this collection of information are: (1) To enable 
NOAA to allow the scientific community the opportunity to request 
tissue specimen samples from the NMMTB; (2) to enable the Marine Mammal 
Health and Stranding Response Program (MMHSRP) of NOAA to assemble 
information on all specimens submitted to the National Biomonitoring 
Specimen Bank (Bank), which includes the NMMTB.

II. Method of Collection

    Reports are required from participants, and methods of submittal 
include Internet, mail and facsimile transmission of paper forms.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0468.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Not-for-profit institutions; and business or other 
for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 50.
    Estimated Time per Response: Request for tissue sample, 2 hours; 
specimen submission form, 45 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 155.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $152.00.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: September 3, 2008.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E8-20792 Filed 9-8-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P